Left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult has revealed that he has a strong desire to represent New Zealand at the Men's ODI World Cup to be held in India later this year. Boult, who was released from his New Zealand Cricket central contract last year, wants to feature in the tournament and play alongside some of the experienced players who have toured India before.
Boult, who is currently playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023, last played for New Zealand in last year's Men's T20 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan. He expressed his desire to return to Test cricket, especially with matches against Australia and South Africa coming up in New Zealand's 2023/24 summer of cricket.
"We're a great one-day side. We've got some players that have travelled to India and experienced the conditions a lot, and that's what it comes down to in World Cups. You can't buy experience, and you can't replace players that have toured for however many years across these conditions," Boult said in a statement.
"I've played nearly 80 Tests and had some pretty great times in the Black Cap, but they said that, if I chose to move away from that contract, my time in it would be limited. And I'm pretty sure they've never had anyone play Test cricket that isn't contracted - so that probably makes it hard as well."
Boult had a fantastic outing during the 2019 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in helping New Zealand reach the final. He also expressed his disappointment at not being able to win the title and said that he and Kane Williamson discussed the possibility of playing in the 2023 World Cup after the final.
"It's such a great tournament... One hundred percent, I've got that desire to be out there. I remember after the 2019 final, I said to Kane that we've got to be there again, come 2023 in India. It's a shame with what's going on with his knee but he'll be working as hard as he can to try and get there."